Newcomer takes council duties by the horns

Published 10:09 am, Sunday, February 17, 2013

John Love III, newest Midland City Councilman and operator of PaperWerks. Tim Fischer\Reporter-Telegram

John Love III, newest Midland City Councilman and operator of PaperWerks. Tim Fischer\Reporter-Telegram

Photo: Tim Fischer

Newcomer takes council duties by the horns

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Nearly a month after taking office, John Love III already could feel the challenges of co-owning a small business and serving as District 2’s newest councilman.

But he said one device has eased the transition between financially advising clients and fielding calls from concerned citizens:

“Thank God for the iPad,” Love said with a laugh.

The Midlander was the only person to run for the District 2 seat vacated by Vicky Hailey, who served on the council for nine years. Love said he was on Hailey’s short list of potential successors.

“He has a really good working knowledge of how city government works,” said Hailey, who — at three terms — exceeded her limits. “I got a really good start, and I feel really confident that he’ll see it through.”

Love is tasked with tackling a laundry list of issues that include upgrading the district’s roads and utilities, tapping into the region’s robust economy by making room for business development and improving police-community relationships. He also wants to take care of what he believes to be a pesky stray pup problem.

“Since becoming councilman, I’ve had 10 different people contact me about different issues; I feel honored,” Love said. “No matter where you live, no matter what you do or where you work, this is your city, too. You have every right to participate and contribute information and ideas to the growth of the city of Midland.”

Cartoons and economics

Despite previously serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission, where he was the chairman in 2000, Love said he didn’t always plan on a career in local politics. He had early interest in business and economics and attended the University of Texas at Austin before graduating from the Permian Basin campus.

“I’ve always been interested in numbers. As a little kid I used to watch cartoons and then turn to CNN’s ‘Moneyline,’” Love said. “It’s helpful with understanding what’s going on in the city — especially with that’s going on with the expansion — (and with) preparing and planning for the future of Midland.”

Love has been a financial adviser since 1994. He later joined PaperWerks, a business consulting company originally started by his mother.

He now co-owns the company, located on New York Avenue, and works from a desk covered in yellow sticky notes and a red office room that pays homage to history’s greatest African-American leaders.

The house next door, owned by a family member, shows the depth of Love’s Midland roots. Despite being born in Colorado and moving around before his parents settled down again in Midland, Love still considers himself a true Texan. His family has lived in the Tall City for five generations. His mother was the valedictorian of Carver High School, and Love said his father and namesake was one of Midland College’s first student body presidents.

“Midland is entrenched in my blood,” Love said. “I have a lot of historical perspective with what has happened here in the past on all levels: economically, socially and racially.”

In a moment of reflection, Love said he believes his mother groomed him and his brother, Cary, to serve the community.

Joan Love agreed: “I’ve always felt he had the personality to be a leader for this community.”

Joan Love said her son is good at seeing the big picture, speaking his mind and researching problems. And his financial background will allow him to find much-needed sources of funding for projects, she said.

“District 2 is often overlooked,” Joan Love said. “When it comes to roads and paving, the first thing they say is they don’t have any money for this side of town. He knows what he’s doing when he looks at the numbers.”

Stinky puddles and phone static

Love’s mother isn’t the only Midlander to think District 2 is overlooked.

“Historically, citizens within the district have felt neglected and felt some of their concerns have fallen on deaf ears,” Love said.

One such District 2 resident, Julian Reyes, recently met with Love to talk about an issue with the roads near his home at Maple and Tyler streets. Because the roads are uncurbed — a districtwide problem, according to Love — parking from a nearby church generally spills over into his property and onto the road near his home, Reyes said.

The lack of proper drainage is also an issue, the 65-year-old said.

“When it rains, the water stands on the side of the house because there’s no drainage,” he said. “I’ve been living here for at least 42 years, and they haven’t done a thing. It’s been an issue for many years. The city just doesn’t pay attention on this side of town.”

Love agreed. The draws are full of weeds, and when it rains, water collects in ugly, stinky puddles, he said.

Bridges over some locations might help residents, including school children, get to local schools, parks and centers without having to avoid flooded areas, he said.

Love said most of these issues arise because of aging infrastructure. He struggles with water, sewage and telephone line problems at his own business.

“Every time it rains, the entire neighborhood calls AT&T,” he said.

Love said the city’s future looks bright but quality infrastructure is key to developing the district.

“You can’t build a business or home without water or sewer lines,” he said.